Therapy Dogs 101: What They Do & Why They’re Amazing

Therapy Dogs 101: What They Do & Why They’re Amazing

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear vests, wag their tails, and heal with a cuddle. Therapy

dogs bring comfort and calm to people who need it most, from stressed-out students to epileptic friends. At Prairie Willow Dogs, we’ve seen how our puppies grow into therapy stars, and it starts with how they’re raised and trained, by our valuable partners.

Connection: A Dog That Bonds With Everyone

Unlike service dogs, which are trained for one person, therapy dogs spread joy wherever they

go. They walk into a room and instantly connect, with seniors in care homes, children learning to read, teenagers struggling with anxiety, or patients recovering in hospital. That connection is their superpower.

Community: Comfort in Every Corner

Therapy dogs work at home, in schools, hospitals, rehab centres, and even disaster relief areas. They create a sense of community, reminding people that they’re not alone. Whether it’s a Bernedoodle sitting patiently with a child or a Goldendoodle bringing smiles in a ward, these dogs build bridges where words sometimes fail.

Care: Healing Through Presence

Research shows therapy dogs lower blood pressure, ease stress, and boost mood. But beyond science, it’s about care: a warm head in your lap, a tail wag that says, “I’m here.” The unconditional love they give when they lay next to you and just want to be with you. Our puppies are raised to give that kind of unconditional affection.

Confidence: Calm in Any Situation

A therapy dog has to stay steady in busy, unpredictable environments. That confidence comes from strong genetics, thoughtful conditioning, and proper training. Prairie Willow partners with incredible trainers to bring families a unique and super beneficial training program to prepare pups for this important work. We also provide families with loads of information and resources for families to continue the special training required to certify your pup.

Conditioning: Preparing for Real-Life Scenarios

From day one, our puppies are exposed to sounds, textures, and gentle handling so they’re

ready for anything, from beeping monitors to noisy hallways. This early conditioning makes

them adaptable and calm when it matters most. This sets them up to be dogs who will excel in

Therapy dog training, with our valued partners.

Therapy dogs don’t just change lives, they lift spirits, ease burdens, and bring joy in ways words can’t. Whether it’s a Goldendoodle, Bernedoodle, Golden Retriever, Golden Mountain dog or a Bernese Mountain dog from Prairie Willow, the love and professional training behind each pup make them ready to brighten lives across Calgary and beyond.

Arlo supporting and comforting fire fighters at his Fire Station in Squamish BC. He partners with his Fire Fighter on the Peer Support Team. As well as participates in search and rescue.

Photo credit Kyle Derksen